“Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell and “Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police” by Martin Gansberg are two critical readings due to the nature of the topics they address. Both works analyze moral obligation and the challenge of making moral choices in tough circumstances. These stories strengthened my sense of responsibility and sharpened my understanding of the difficulty of making the right choice, especially in stressful situations.
The essay “Shooting an Elephant” reminded me of the complexities of the role of the oppressor in injustice. Orwell’s struggle to shoot the elephant sheds light on the ethical dilemma those tasked with enforcing unjust laws and policies face (Orwell 1). This story strengthened my belief that all people, regardless of whether they are in power or not, are responsible for speaking up, even when it is challenging.
Similarly, “Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police” emphasizes the importance of action when witnessing mistreatment. The fact that so many people failed to intervene in the murder of Kitty Genovese is a stark reminder of the observer effect and how it can lead to unfortunate outcomes (Gansberg 3). This story made me think about being more alert when I witness something wrong.
Therefore, these stories challenge us to think critically about our actions or inactions and their impact on others. They encourage us to be more aware of the will in our society and more deliberate about advocating for justice. These stories have strengthened my belief in the responsibility to take action in the face of injustice. Therefore, I realized the ambiguity of life situations and that the choice is not always obvious.
In conclusion, “Shooting an Elephant” and “Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police” are important stories that encourage us to consider our moral responsibilities and choices in challenging situations. These stories tell us to be more mindful of our actions or inactions and more intentional about using our voices to advocate for justice. While they can be discomfiting to read, they serve as a reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion.
Works Cited
Orwell, George. Shooting an Elephant. New Writing, 1936.
Gansberg, Martin. “Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police.” New York Times, 1964, pp. 1-3.